Survival Bros is in Champaign, Illinois with the news. Cameron McKirdy films an HD video in the middle of a huge winter snow storm they are calling Nika. Roads are covered in dangerous ice, with packed snow on top making for bad driving conditions. Don’t try to commute unless you have a 4×4 truck, or something with excellent traction, and considerable weight. This weather is brutal on your skin, so use as much protection as possible, such as ChapStick and hand lotion. Cam is wearing a Hoo-Rag bandana on his face to stay warm, and has epic GOR-TEX gloves from Trekmates out of the UK. Check those brands out, and get prepared. Unfortunately, the worst Winter weather is yet to come. Tomorrow Survival Bros will be enduring temperatures near zero degrees. Cam will have another cold weather update for you soon. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe to us on Youtube, and follow this emergency preparedness blog via email. Be safe. Peace.

How’d you like to drive on this? Road conditions keep getting worse. To be continued…

A delivery bike quipped for an arctic blast in Champaign, IL.

The roads are clear here now, but it got down to -25 last night.

Mother Nature had no mercy this morning. I wore shorts to suffer for fun. I got lots of looks and almost caused a few accidents. Ladies like my calves. It would be a shame not to show them. Seriously though, it was so cold my teeth hurt from breathing. Back in Oregon my friends and family are dealing with tons of unexpected snow. Hopefully they are safe, and have food and supplies stockpiled for events like this. More soon!

Learn how to tie popular knots using paracord following easy step-by-step instructions from a Marine. These are easy and helpful knots you can create quickly for emergency or whatever. We challenge you to learn them all.

Here’s more knots to play with. Thanks for visiting Survival Bros. Follow this blog using your email up above on the left side of the screen. Peace.

How the Grinch stole MY Christmas. Two days after Christmas my beautiful, 2013 Chevrolet Camaro was a victim of crime. I thought I lived in one of the safer apartment complexes here in town. My bedroom is directly over the top of my carport on the second floor. I have a direct view of my car from the window. While I was sleeping, these thieves somehow managed to unlock my car without the alarm going off. (Apparently they make remotes to do so these days…thanks hackers of the world.) Why they chose MY car I will never know. One would naturally assume that a brand new car like mine would have a perfect lock and touchy alarm on it like Fort Knox. Well, my precious vehicle wasn’t well protected.

I’ve had my previous car broke in to before, and seen my things rummaged through. I’ve felt what it’s like to have your documents strung all over your car, and find your gear M.I.A. It’s awful. I should have taken the extra precaution like I have every other night and removed my valuables from the vehicle before locking her up for the night. I didn’t. I did have EVERYTHING out of sight. If you were to walk past my car, you couldn’t tell it’s a daily driver. I know better than to leave valuables out for prying eyes. I thought my stuff would be safe for one more night. Here’s a list of things I am kicking myself for, prepare to cringe:

In addition, who knows if they could steal my identity, as I had some sensitive documents in the glove compartment that they rummaged through too.

I’ve since taken proper measures to protect myself since, and hopefully regain my property again. I would like to share these tips with you so this same thing doesn’t happen to you.

– Keep ALL valuables in your home. Don’t take the chance like I did and assume that things are safe in the trunk and out the vision of creepers.

– Download the “Find Your iPhone” application and TURN ON YOUR LOCATION! (I had previously turned the location off the day prior because I felt it was nuking my battery. Dumbest thing I’ve ever done, because I had this app on my smart phone, and because I turned the location off, it wouldn’t lead me or the local police to where my possessions were.)

– If you find yourself in this predicament of having your things stolen from you, contact your local police department, file a police report. Note: They wouldn’t come out, and recommended I fill one out online.

– Write a list of the items that were stolen from you, with serial numbers if available, and take this list in to the second hand shops, cellular stores, and local pawn shops.

– Contact your phone provider and register your phone as “Lost or Stolen.” If someone is dumb enough to try to activate the phone, the provider should confiscate the cell immediately and turn it over to either the police department or contact you to let you know your device had turned up.

– Scour all outlets of items for sale, such as eBay, Craigslist, Facebook sale pages, etc. Eventually, your stuff may turn up on one of those.

– Keep receipts of ALL expensive purchases that you have in your possession, my home owners insurance wouldn’t cover the items stolen from my car at my apartment, as I didn’t have proper sales receipts for these items….(They were gifts.) Things can’t be replaced if insurance can’t prove you never had them to begin with.

I can recommend from personal experience that having your stuff stolen is not a pleasant thing to have happen. It detracts from valuable time I could have spent using my nice things to make my life easier. If you’re a car thief, I would like to leave you with this final note: You should be ashamed of yourself. Work hard for your money so you can purchase quality belongings for yourself. Why steal from others that have actually earned their way in life? Karma is a bitch. Happy Travels!

Last week I requested a free product sample from Wise Company of their emergency storable food. I only expected one packet with four servings, but I got two entrees on the house. So I scored six servings in all. I will try at least one meal out, and let you know how it tastes. Get your own sample, good for up to 25 years, by visiting this webpage:http://wisefoodstorage.com/request-a-sample/

Update: The Savory Stroganoff was scrumptious. It was 100% vegetarian, but I added Parmesan cheese and black pepper. My sample was made on 10/30/2013, so it was super fresh.

In this HD video Survival Bros tests the SteriPEN Sidewinder UV Water Purification System. It’s hand powered, meaning it’s battery-free. I think it’s light-weight at 16.6 ounces, and compact enough to fit in a backpack with a height of 8.6 inches. The Sidewinder is perfect for camping, and emergency preparedness. Their moto is “safe drinking water anywhere.” That’s a noble mission, and one we can all appreciate.

Imagine knowing a hurricane is about to devastate your area, and seeing this on your shelf. I can’t picture a prep that would bring more peace of mind than the SteriPEN Sidewinder. This tool disinfects 8,000 liters of water that could be contaminated with bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Those potentially harmful risks are getting eliminated thanks to the powerful UV lamp. Even a kid could operate this purifier. All you have to do is fill it, flip it, crank it, and drink it. In 90 seconds you have water you don’t have to worry about. Survival Bros is also grateful that the bottle is BPA-free, so you won’t be drinking chemicals that way. In the box you get the 1L container, water-tight bottle lid, and Pre-Filter for particulate removal.

The SterPEN Sidewinder is one of those products a prepper really needs. It’s a good backup to have, in case your regular water source is compromised, or you’re just off the grid. I have no complaints with this system. It feels well made, it works, and will continue to keep me safe for many years. They even offer a 3 year warranty. Plus, they are an American company. Check out their full line of gear at http://www.steripen.com There’s an ultraviolet light solution right for you. I’m sure you’ll see us testing more SteriPEN products in the future. We approve 100%!

SteriPEN Sidewinder UV Water Purification System for Emergency Preparedness

The first nasty storm of the season is underway on the Oregon Coast. The wind is bending trees, and flooding is a possibility. I’m surprised the power is still on. Seaside, OR is expected to have gusts up to 80 miles per hour! Have a survival kit together, and an emergency plan for your family. Here’s a checklist of supplies to gather just in case of a disaster.

– Water (A gallon per person per day for a minimum of 3 days.)

– Fuel AKA gas for cooking, and dry wood for fire

– Food (Stores could close for days without electricity. Don’t buy perishable goods that need to be refrigerated. Think fruit.)

– Candles

– Flashlights and headlamps with fresh batteries

– Blankets

– Shelter (It’s probably a good idea to stay inside, so you don’t get wet and sick.)

– Emergency Weather Radio

– Toys for kids, and treats for pets, because they will be scared in a super storm

– First Aid

– Gas (Fill up your vehicle in case there’s a rush for fuel, and you can’t get some later.)

With all or most of these things you should be good to go, and ready for a super storm bringing flooding. If you can think of any other handy items, please leave your suggestions in the comment section. Thanks, and wish us Oregonians good luck this weekend. It’s going to be a wild one. Peace and love from Survival Bros.

Here’s a link to the live webcam in Seaside, OR on The Lanai at The Cove so you can checkout the current conditions.

There’s no flooding on Highway 101 right now, but high tide isn’t until this evening.

This is my new and improved EDC keychain system. Now I have many practical items handy at all times, with little redundancy. I plan on changing out gear as I acquire smaller, higher quality tools, but this is stuff I had on hand. Everything fits easily in my pocket, since I usually wear athletic shorts, and not tight pants like a hipster. I’ve also hooked my everyday carry survival keychain to the belt loop on my jeans, and to the outside of my tactical Bug Out Bag, for easy access. I’d like to add a telepen, peanut lighter, USB thumb drive, glow in the dark tape, 550 paracord, bit driver, seat-belt cutter/knife sharpener, and maybe something for self defense like a kubaton, or pepper spray.

I will update this blog post as the project develops. Tell us what’s on your keychain, and help out other Survival Bros readers. Below is the EDC Keychain items list. Thanks for visiting.

When I train outdoors on my bike, and hiking, I like to bring most of my Bug Out items in my backpack. I carried a heavy book bag through school, and now useful item are included. However, many people don’t have emergency preparedness packs ready to go. Like my friend Kate for example. When we went hiking on Saddle Mountain, she brought a funky backpack with one strap. I knew that was going to be uncomfortable, but I didn’t say anything. Later I took her old bag with wrappers inside, and upgraded to another backpack with two straps. I built a better survival bag, starting with the weight being more evenly distributed on the hips. Here’s her emergency preparedness day bag after the hike, before I got to look at it and add items.

Before Kate had some helpful gear, but it was still unorganized. Now her stuff is protected in heavy duty Zip Lock bags. Plus, I wrote her a list of all the things she needs, and checked off the items she already has.

With a Bug Out Bag Checklist, you’ll know exactly what you have on hand. Now if Kate gets a flat tire, and has to walk to town because her new car doesn’t have a spare, she can grab her B.O.B., and improve her situation. Another survival scenario she’s prepared for is simply having to bug out at a friend’s or relative’s house for 72 hours or more. Today that’s possible, and even easy. The new and improved pack will be on her back, handy in the apartment, or in the trunk of the car, depending on her needs that day. It’s the minimum you should have tucked away for a rainy day. Of course systems vary, and change over time. What’s in your survival bag?

What’s good friends? I had to give you a quick update on my new Specialized Road bike. It’s a work in progress. I just picked it up from Goodwill, and started modifying it. First, I had the back wheel straightened, brakes adjusted, and new black handlebar grips put on. Next I attached a front light, back rack with pannier bags, a seat pack, and a black Specialized brand bottle holder. Plus, I acquired a bicycle repair kit, complete with mini tire pump, a set of tools, and more. I have a cargo net that can lockdown even more survival gear on top of the rack. Now I’m ready for the zombie apocalypse!

Check out the HD video clip I shot, and let me know how you would modify this ride. I plan on adding a handle bar bag, bell, rear LED lights, toe clips on the pedals, a B.O.B. Yak one-wheeled cargo trailer, and a computer for mileage, etc. I’m not spray painting this one. I like the odd color combo. I want to be highly visible on the road, so I will add 3M reflectors and wear them too. This bike is ideal for taking on long trips, and camping. I love every second riding this emergency preparedness vehicle. It’s fast. Enjoy the pictures.

Update: I put new bags on my Allez. Now I can carry more gear. I will shoot another video when the packs are fully loaded, and I feel like this project is complete.

Two of my close friends have shot themselves in the head in separate recent tragedies. Another failed in his suicide attempt. Not good. Not cool. If you need help, get some. Talk to your friends, family, or call prevention experts like The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. People are available 24/7. You can work through your problems. You are LOVED! Please like and share this post if you agree. Thanks.